The idiom "hell for leather" means to do something as fast or as hard as possible, often in a reckless or wild manner. It is usually used to describe someone who is running, riding a bike, or driving a vehicle at a very high speed.
For example, if you say "he was riding his motorcycle hell for leather down the highway," it means that he was riding his motorcycle very fast and without any regard for safety.
The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the 19th century. It may have been derived from the sound of a horse's hooves hitting the ground at a fast pace, which sounds like leather hitting the ground.
In summary, "hell for leather" is an idiom that means doing something as fast or as hard as possible, often in a reckless or wild manner. It is commonly used to describe someone who is moving at a high speed, and it is believed to have originated from the sound of a horse's hooves hitting the ground.
• Despite the bad weather, the sailors sailed their ship hell for leather, determined to reach their destination on time.
• The company is working hell for leather to meet the deadline for the new product launch.
• She ran hell for leather to catch the bus.
• He was driving his motorcycle hell for leather on the highway.
• The athletes were running hell for leather to reach the finish line first.
• The police chased the thief hell for leather through the streets of the city.